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Capitals rule Southeast Division
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By Kevin Allen
September 29, 2010
NHL's Southeast Division sized up. Teams are listed in order of projected conference finish:
No. 1 Washington Capitals
2009-10: 54-15-3, first in the NHL
Arrivals: LW D.J. King (trade with the St. Louis Blues), LW Matt Hendricks (free agent)
Departures: D Joe Corvo (signed with the Carolina Hurricanes); D Shaone Morrisonn (signed with the Buffalo Sabres); D Milan Jurcina (signed with the New York Islanders); C Eric Belanger (signed with the Phoenix Coyotes); G Jose Theodore, C Brendan Morrison, RW Scott Walker (free agents)
Goaltending: In Semyon Varlamov (15-4-6, 2.55 goals-against average, .909 save percentage) and Michal Neuvirth (9-4-0, 2.75, .914), both 22, the Caps own the NHL's youngest goaltending duo. Varlamov projects to be No. 1, but Neuvirth has been impressive.
What's happening: Optimistic Capitals fans would say their team was bounced early in the playoffs by hot goalie Jaroslav Halak. Pessimists would say the Caps were victimized by sloppy defensive play. Either way, general manager George McPhee chose to show confidence in his group by making no major moves. You can do that when you have Alex Ovechkin and an offense that outscored every team in the conference by 61 goals. Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom are improving, Alexander Semin is dangerous and Mike Knuble is a valuable veteran. The Caps will be subtly different because young Ds John Carlson and Karl Alzner will play expanded roles.
Key question: Did the Capitals blunder by not acquiring a veteran goalie? That debate will rage if Varlamov isn't sharp early. But the Caps have options for a midseason trade if necessary. Potential unrestricted free agents Tomas Vokoun and Jean-Sebastien Giguere might be available for prospects.
Outlook: Sooner or later, the spring will belong to the Capitals. They are the team to beat in the East.
No. 7 Tampa Bay Lightning
2009-10: 34-36-12, 12th in the East
Arrivals: Owner Jeff Vinik; GM Steve Yzerman; coach Guy Boucher; D Pavel Kubina, D Brett Clark, D Randy Jones, LW Sean Bergenheim, C Dominic Moore, G Dan Ellis (free agents); LW Simon Gagne (trade with the Philadelphia Flyers)
Departures: GM Brian Lawton, coach Rick Tocchet (fired); G Antero Niittymaki (signed with the San Jose Sharks); LW Alex Tanguay (signed with the Calgary Flames), D Kurtis Foster (signed with the Edmonton Oilers); Ds Andrej Meszaros, Matt Walker (traded to the Flyers)
Goaltending: Ellis (15-13-1, 2.69, .909) was brought in with the idea he could win the No. 1 job from Mike Smith (13-18-7, 3.09, .900). A few teams were interested in Ellis, but Tampa Bay gives him the best chance to play regularly.
What's happening: Yzerman's offseason moves and hires have played to strong reviews. If Gagne stays healthy, the offense has fascinating potential. The defensive changes should make that unit steadier. But the excitement about Yzerman shouldn't overshadow that this team's potential centers on young superstar Steven Stamkos.
Key question: How many goals will Vincent Lecavalier get? The two-time 40-goal scorer had 24 last season. He looked out of sync, and he's 30.
Outlook: Yzerman is expected to lead the Lightning as general manager with the same effectiveness as he led the Detroit Red Wings as captain. Look for them to make the playoffs.
No. 9 Atlanta Thrashers
2009-10: 35-34-13, 10th in the East
Arrivals: Coach Craig Ramsay; LW-D Dustin Byfuglien, LW Andrew Ladd, D Brent Sopel, RW Ben Eager (trades with the Chicago Blackhawks); LW Patrick Rismiller (trade with the New York Rangers); G Chris Mason, LW Fredrik Modin, LW Nigel Dawes, D Freddy Meyer (free agents)
Departures: Coach John Anderson (fired); C Todd White (traded to the Rangers); G Johan Hedberg (signed with the New Jersey Devils); C Marty Reasoner (traded to the Blackhawks); RW Maxim Afinogenov (left for the Kontinental Hockey League); D Pavel Kubina (signed with the Lightning); RW Colby Armstrong, LW Clarke MacArthur (signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs); LW Slava Kozlov, D Mark Popovic (free agents)
Goaltending: Mason (30-22-8, 2.53, .913) became the No. 1 goalie by good fortune more than elaborate planning. The Thrashers intended to stay with Hedberg and Ondrej Pavelec but couldn't reach terms with Hedberg. When Mason became available, they signed him for a bargain $3.7 million over two years.
What's happening: The Thrashers want to be more difficult to play against, and the ex-Blackhawks should help. They expect to have size and grit on every line. With center Nik Antropov leading the way, goal scoring should remain above average. Ramsay's mandate is to fix the defensive deficiencies. Mason will help, and the defense has potential. Zach Bogosian is getting closer to being a major force, and Tobias Enstrom had 50 points last season. Sopel will take Kubina's role, and Byfuglien, Ron Hainsey and Johnny Oduya should get the job done.
Key question: Is RW Bryan Little the 13-goal scorer he was last season or the 31-goal scorer he was in 2008-09?
Outlook: Mason's career save percentage (.914) and goals-against average (2.54) are similar to Roberto Luongo's and Ryan Miller's numbers. Mason might be worth the 10 extra points Atlanta needs to make the playoffs.
No. 10 Carolina Hurricanes
2009-10: 35-37-10, 11th in the East
Arrivals: D Joe Corvo (free agent), D Anton Babchuk (returns from the KHL), C Jeff Skinner (first-round pick in 2010)
Departures: LW Ray Whitney (signed with the Coyotes), C Rod Brind'Amour (retired)
Goaltending: The Hurricanes acknowledged their reliance on Cam Ward (18-23-5, 2.69, .916) by giving him a six-year, $37.8 million contract. Ward endured a horrific injury when he was cut by Rick Nash's skate, but by the end of the season his save percentage was exactly where it was the season before.
What's happening: The Hurricanes were 21-10-3 after Jan. 21 last season. With Eric Staal leading the charge, they have the potential to be a playoff team. Jussi Jokinen is among the NHL's most anonymous 30-goal scorers. Brandon Sutter (21 goals) seems to provide more offense than some scouts projected. The Hurricanes have an impressive collection of prospects, including Skinner, who has an outside chance of making the roster. The kid netted 70 goals last season in 80 games in the Ontario Hockey League, including 20 in 20 playoff games. The Hurricanes' ability to make the playoffs might come down to injuries, luck and goaltending. They must clean up their defensive game, though.
Key question: Who replaces Whitney's goals? He was Carolina's No. 3 scorer last season. The Hurricanes have several candidates, including young Drayson Bowman, who scored 47 goals in the Western Hockey League.
Outlook: Thanks mostly to general manager Jim Rutherford, the 'Canes are usually three to five places better than anyone expects. But it doesn't seem as if they can make the playoffs.
No. 15 Florida Panthers
2009-10: 32-37-13, 14th in the East
Arrivals: GM Dale Tallon; D Dennis Wideman (trade with the Boston Bruins); RW Michael Grabner, RW Steve Bernier (trade with the Vancouver Canucks); C Marty Reasoner (trade with the Blackhawks); D Nathan Paetsch, LW Chris Higgins, LW Andrew Peters (free agents)
Departures: D Keith Ballard (traded to the Canucks); C Greg Campbell, C-RW Nathan Horton (traded to the Bruins)
Goaltending: Tomas Vokoun (23-28-11, 2.55, .925) was among the top six in save percentage and shutouts (seven).
What's happening: Tallon was brought in to win the hearts and minds of Florida fans, who are long frustrated by the Panthers' lack of success. Tallon was aggressive, adding Grabner and Bernier to Florida's solid collection of youngsters. Higgins could be a prize, particularly if he can become a 20-goal scorer again. Thanks to David Booth, Stephen Weiss and improving Michael Frolik, the Panthers have offensive talent, especially if Cory Stillman can coax his point total over 50 again.
Key question: Does Vokoun become a trading chip later in the season? He is in the last season of his contract, and prized goalie prospect Jacob Markstrom is in line for his job.
Outlook: Tallon needed four seasons to make Chicago a contender, and it could take less time with Florida. But the Panthers will miss the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season.
• NHL News Archive Index:
2010, 2009
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